The Gift

Chapter Twelve

There was more than one serpent slithering around in Sara's paradise, just waiting for her return to England.

The voyage back to London was uneventful, however. Ivan took Sara under his wing and tried to teach her how to make a proper soup. The woman couldn't seem to grasp the knack of using just a pinch of seasoning, but Ivan couldn't bring himself to tell her the truth. The rest of the men wouldn't tell her either. They praised her considerably, yet the minute she turned her back on them they tossed the soup overboard. Their empty stomachs weren't nearly as important to them as Sara's feelings.

Sara then wanted to try her hand at making biscuits. The ones stored in the wooden tins were filled with vile little creatures called weevils. The crew didn't mind the insects. They merely pounded the biscuits on the floor a couple of times to shake the weevils loose, then ate the biscuits whole.

Since Ivan had all the ingredients needed, he decided to let Sara make a batch. She worked all morning on the biscuits. The men pretended to be appreciative, but the things were as hard as stones, and they were afraid they'd break their teeth if they tried to take a bite out of one.

Chester had become Sara's greatest champion. He scoffed at the other men, then soaked his biscuit overnight in a full cup of grog. Come morning, even he had to whisper defeat. The biscuit was still too hard to chew.

Matthew suggested they use the leftovers for cannonballs. Nathan laughed at that remark. Sara happened to overhear the banter and took immediate exception. She retaliated that evening by eating the most disgusting meal ever put together by man. She made certain Nathan was watching her, too. The sour cucumbers soaked in strawberry jam did the trick. Nathan barely made it to the railing before he lost his supper.

Sara did seem to have an iron stomach and less than ordinary discrimination regarding food. Nathan watched her every move, and it wasn't long before he realized how enjoyable it was to have her around. He liked the sound of her laughter.

And then they reached London.

Nathan immediately took Sara to the Emerald Shipping office. He was eager for her to meet Colin.

It was midmorning when they walked down the crowded wharf. The sun was shining bright enough to make a person squint. It was warm, too. The door to the office was propped open to let the sweet breeze inside.

When they were just a half a block away from the entrance Nathan pulled Sara aside, leaned down, and whispered, "When you meet Colin, don't mention his limp. He's a little sensitive about his leg."

"He has a limp? What happened to the poor man?"

"A shark took a bite out of him," Nathan answered.

"Good Lord," she whispered in a rush. "He's fortunate to be alive."

"Yes, he is," he agreed. "Now promise me you won't say anything."

"Why would you think I'd mention his limp to him? What kind of woman do you think I am? Nathan, I do know what's proper and what isn't. Shame on you for thinking I'd say a word."

"You screamed when you saw my back," he reminded her.

He would have to bring that up. "For heaven's sake, that was different."

"How?" he asked, wondering what outrageous explanation she would give him.

She shrugged. "It was different because I love you," she said, blushing.

God, she was exasperating, he thought. Pleasing, too. He was becoming accustomed to hearing her tell him how much she loved him. Shaking that thought away, he continued. "And now that you know about Colin's leg you won't be surprised, and you therefore won't say anything to embarrass him. Isn't that right?"

Even as she nodded agreement she tried to get in the last word. "Lord, you're insulting."

He kissed her just to gain a moment's peace, but before he could stop himself he'd properly hauled her into his arms and let the kiss get completely out of hand. She opened her mouth before he would have forced her. His tongue swept inside to rub against hers. He didn't mind at all that they were standing in the center of the busy crosswalk, didn't care either that several passersby stopped to watch them.

Jimbo and Matthew came rushing down the walk but stopped when they saw the couple. Jimbo let out a snort of disgust. "For God's sake, boy, now isn't the time to be pawing your woman. We've got business to see to before the day's completely gone."

Nathan reluctantly pulled away from his wife. She sagged against him. He had to smile over that telling reaction. Then she noticed the group of strangers watching her. The mist of passion quickly evaporated.

"You forget yourself," she whispered to Nathan.

"I'm not the only one who forgot myself," he answered.

She ignored that truth. "I'm about to meet your business associate, and I would appreciate it if you wouldn't distract me so."

She turned her back on him before he could think of a suitable retort. While she smoothed her hair over her shoulders she smiled at Jimbo and Matthew. "Are you coming along with us?"

The two men nodded in unison. Sara took Jimbo's arm. "You may escort me, sir, and you as well, Matthew," she added when he offered his arm to her. "I'm most anxious to meet Nathan's friend. He must be quite a man to put up with my husband. Shall we go?"

Nathan had only enough time to get out of the trio's way as they continued down the walk. He trailed behind, frowning over the high-handed way his wife had taken charge.

"And by the way," he heard Sara say, "whatever you do, please don't mention Colin's limp to him. He's very sensitive about that topic, I can assure you."

"I thought you hadn't met him yet," Jimbo said.

"I haven't," Sara replied. "But Nathan has advised me. My husband is proving to be very tenderhearted when it comes to his friend's feelings. Now if I could only get him to show me like consideration, well, I assure you, I would be most grateful."

"Quit trying to provoke me," Nathan said from behind. He shoved Jimbo out of his way, grabbed hold of his wife's hand, and dragged her forward.

She was highly insulted by that command. She wasn't the ill-natured partner in the marriage. Since she was so sweetnatured, she decided not to take issue with Nathan. She'd wait until later to set him straight.

Besides, she was eager to meet his friend.

Colin was sitting behind his desk, sorting through a mound of papers. As soon as Sara and Nathan walked inside he stood up.

Nathan's friend was an extremely good-looking man, and it didn't take Sara long to realize his character was just as charming. He had a nice, genuine smile. There was a devilish sparkle in his hazel-colored eyes. He was handsome, though certainly not as handsome as Nathan. Colin didn't have the height, either, or the muscle. Sara did have to look up at him, of course, but she didn't get a crick in her neck as she always did when Nathan was standing close to her and nagging her to look him in the eye.

She guessed it was rude of her to stare at the man and immediately made a formal curtsy.

"At last I'm allowed to meet the bride," Colin said. "You're even more beautiful close up, Lady Sara, than from the distance at which I last saw you."

After giving her that compliment Colin walked over to stand directly in front of her. In a gallant action he formally bowed to her, then lifted her hand and kissed it.

She was quite impressed with his manners.

Nathan wasn't. "For God's sake, Colin, you don't have to put on a show. You won't impress her."

"Yes, he will," Sara announced.

"He's impressing me, too," Jimbo announced with a deep chuckle. "I've never seen the Dolphin act so fancy." He nudged Matthew in the ribs. "Have you?"

"Can't say that I have," Matthew replied.

Colin didn't let go of Sara's hand. She didn't mind. Nathan obviously did. "Unhand her, Colin," he muttered.

"Not until you've made a proper introduction," Colin announced. He winked at Sara and almost laughed when she blushed in reaction.

Not only was Nathan's wife exquisitely beautiful, she was also charming, Colin thought to himself. Had Nathan realized his good fortune yet?

Colin turned to his friend to ask just that question, then decided to find out for himself. "Well?" he said.

Nathan let out a long sigh. He leaned against the window ledge, folded his arms in front of him, and then said, "Wife, meet Colin. Colin, meet my wife. Now let go of her, Colin, before I smash your face in."

Sara was appalled by the threat. Colin laughed. "I wonder why you don't like me holding your wife," he drawled.

He hadn't let go of Sara's hand but kept his gaze fully directed on his friend. Nathan, he decided, looked extremely uncomfortable.

Sara's comment turned his attention back to her. "Nathan doesn't like anything, sir," she announced with a smile.

"Does he like you?"

She nodded before Nathan could order Colin to quit his teasing. "Oh, yes, he likes me very much," she said matter-of-factly. She tried to extricate her hand from his grasp, but Colin held tight. "Sir, are you deliberately trying to provoke Nathan's temper?"

He slowly nodded. "Then I believe we have something in common," Sara said. "I always provoke his temper."

Colin threw back his head and laughed. Sara hadn't thought her remark was that amusing, and she wondered if he wasn't laughing about something else altogether.

He finally let go of her hand. She immediately clasped her hands behind her back to keep them safe from his grasp.

Nathan noticed that action and found his first smile. Then Colin soured it. "You didn't need a reprieve after all," he told Nathan. "Sooner would have been better than later."

"Leave it alone," Nathan ordered. He knew Colin was referring to his past remark that he wanted to leave the chore of collecting his bride until the last possible minute.

"Sir, have we met before?" Sara asked. "You did mention that from a distance…"

When he shook his head at her she stopped her question. "I happened to see you one afternoon, but alas, I wasn't given the opportunity to make my presence known to you. I was on a mission, you see, to determine if a certain possession would fit through a window."

"I'm not amused, Colin," Nathan muttered.

Colin's grin indicated he was vastly amused. He decided that he'd prodded his friend enough for the moment. "Let me move those papers from the chair, Lady Sara, and you can sit down and tell me all about your voyage."

"It isn't a happy story, Dolphin," Jimbo interjected. Since there weren't any other chairs available, he leaned against the wall. His gaze was directed on Sara. "We met with one sorry disaster after another, didn't we?"

Sara gave him a dainty shrug. "I thought it was a lovely voyage," she announced. "Very uneventful, as a matter of fact. Jimbo," she added, "it's impolite to snort when you don't agree with someone."

"Uneventful, Sara?" Matthew asked. He grinned at Colin. "The enemy stalked us at every turn."

"What enemy stalked us?" Sara asked. "Oh, you must mean those horrid pirates."

"They were only a small part of the mischief," Matthew remarked.

Sara turned back to Colin. "Pirates attacked the ship, but we chased them away quick enough. As for the rest of the voyage, I declare it was quite peaceful. Don't you agree, Nathan?"

"No."

She frowned at him to let him know his rude denial wasn't appreciated.

"You're forgetting the parasols," he reminded her.

Colin thought he'd lost track of the conversation. "What are you talking about?"

"Sara's parasols turned out to be our greatest enemies," Matthew explained. "There were three of them… or was it four? I can't remember. I tend to block unpleasant memories. I get the shivers."

"Will someone explain?" Colin demanded.

"It isn't significant," Sara blurted out. She wasn't about to let her men drag out her venial sins like soiled linen to be scrubbed clean in front of company. "Matthew's just jesting with you. Isn't he, Nathan?"

The worry in her gaze wasn't lost on her husband. "Yes," he agreed with a sigh. "He was just jesting."

Colin let the topic drop when he noticed how relieved Sara looked. He decided to wait until he and Nathan were alone to find out the story behind the parasols.

He lifted the stack of papers from the chair and hurried over to the far side of the office. After placing the stack on top of the cabinet he went back to his chair, sat down, and propped his feet up on the edge of the desk.

Sara watched him closely and couldn't help but notice that he hadn't limped at all. "Nathan, Colin doesn't have a-"

"Sara!"

"Please don't raise your voice to me in front of your associate," she ordered.

"What don't I have?" Colin asked.

Sara sat down, adjusted the folds in her gown, and then smiled at Colin. She could feel Nathan's frown. "A surly nature," she announced. "I can't imagine why you and Nathan are such good friends. You seem very different to my way of thinking, sir. Yes, you do."

Colin grinned. "I'm the civil one in the partnership," he told her. "Is that what you're thinking?"

"I dare not agree, of course, for it would make me disloyal to my husband," she replied. She paused to smile at Nathan, then added, "But you notice that I'm not disagreeing either."

Colin was noticing a whole lot more than that. Nathan couldn't seem to take his gaze off his wife. There was a warm glint in his eyes Colin had never seen before.

"You don't have to call me sir," Colin said to Sara. "Please call me Colin, or even Dolphin like the men do, if that will suit you." A mischievous look came into his eyes, and he glanced over at Nathan before asking, "And what might I call you, Lady Sara, that isn't quite so formal? After all, you are part of this enterprise now. Does Nathan have a special nickname for you that I might also use?"

Nathan thought the question was ridiculous. He didn't particularly like the way Colin was fawning over his wife. He trusted his friend completely, of course, and aside from that fact, Nathan would never allow himself to care too much about his wife, at least not to the point where he was actually jealous. Odd, though, he was still getting damned irritated. "Colin, I call her wife," he announced. "You can't."

Colin leaned further back in his chair. "No, I don't suppose I can," he drawled. "Pity you haven't given her any other nicknames."

"Like what?" Sara asked.

"Like sweetheart, or love, or even-"

"Hell, Colin," Nathan interrupted, "will you quit this game?"

Sara straightened her shoulders. She was frowning at her husband. Nathan thought it was because he'd accidentally slipped in a blasphemy. He almost apologized, then caught himself in time.

"No, Colin, he has never called me by any endearments," Sara announced. She sounded properly appalled. Nathan rolled his eyes heavenward.

"Even if I did," Nathan said, "you damned well couldn't. Partners or not, Colin, you aren't calling my wife sweetheart."

"Why would it bother you?" Colin innocently prodded.

So that was his game, Nathan thought. He's trying to find out just how much I care about Sara. He shook his head at his friend, then added a glare so that Colin would be sure to get his message to let the topic drop.

"Nathan does have a special nickname he uses when he addresses me," Sara announced then, drawing her husband's attention. "You have my permission to use it, too."

"Oh?" Colin asked. He caught the surprised look on Nathan's face and became all the more curious. "And what might that be?"

"Damn it, Sara."

Colin couldn't believe he'd heard correctly. "Did you say-"

"Nathan usually addresses me as Damn It Sara. Don't you, dear?" she asked her husband. "Colin, you may also-"

As if on cue, Nathan muttered, "Damn it, Sara, don't push me. I…"

Even he saw the humor then and joined in the laughter. Then Matthew once again reminded them that there was business to attend to and that they'd best get on with it.

The teasing banter ended. Sara sat quietly while she listened to Colin give Nathan a catch-up on the firm's activities. She smiled when Colin announced that they had five more contracts to ship supplies to the Indies.

"Nathan, does that mean we're…"

"No, we aren't rich yet."

She looked crestfallen.

"We'll all be rich when you-"

"I know what my duty is," she blurted out. "You don't have to explain it in front of my staff."

Nathan smiled. Colin shook his head. "I haven't followed any of that," he admitted. "What is the duty you have to perform that will make us rich?"

From the way Lady Sara blushed, Colin concluded the matter was of a personal nature. He remembered that Nathan had told him the king's treasure wouldn't be handed over until Sara gave her husband an heir. Because of Sara's obvious discomfort, however, Colin decided to let the topic drop.

"For the love of God," Matthew muttered, "quit this chitchat. I'm itching to get going, Colin. I've got some personal dealings to settle before the week's out."

"Are you going somewhere?" Colin asked.

"Oh, heavens, Matthew, you haven't told Colin about Nora," Sara interjected.

"Who is Nora?"

Sara was happy to explain. She hadn't realized the details she'd given until she was finishing up her explanation. "I cannot say more, Colin, about the quickness of the wedding, for to do so would damage my aunt's reputation."

"Sara, you already told him everything," Nathan interjected dryly.

From his position behind the desk Colin had a clear view of the street beyond the open doorway. Sara had just begun to explain why she hadn't truly revealed her aunt's unusual circumstances when a black carriage swayed to a stop across the street. There were five men on horseback escorting the vehicle.

Colin recognized the seal on the side door. It was the Earl of Winchester's family crest. He gave Nathan a barely perceptible nod, then returned his attention to Sara.

Nathan immediately moved away from the ledge, motioned to Jimbo and Matthew, and then casually walked outside.

Sara didn't pay any attention to the men. She was determined to convince Colin that her aunt was a decent woman and that she would never have become so passionately involved with Matthew if she hadn't loved him with all her heart. She also wanted his promise not to repeat a word of what she'd inadvertently blurted out about her aunt.

Just as soon as he gave her the promise she wanted she started to turn around to see what her husband was doing. Colin stopped her by asking another question.

"Sara, what do you think of our office?"

"I don't wish to injure your feelings, Colin, but I do believe it's rather drab. It could be very attractive, though. We need only paint the walls and add drapes. I'd be happy to supervise this task. Pink would be a lovely color, don't you think?"

"No," he said, in such a cheerful tone of voice that she wasn't at all offended. She became a little uneasy, however, when he opened the center drawer of the desk and took out a pistol. "Pink's a woman's color," Colin said then. "We're men. We like dark, ugly colors."

His grin indicated he was jesting with her. Besides, she reasoned, although she didn't know him at all well, she was certain he wouldn't shoot her just because he didn't care for the color she'd suggested. Nathan wouldn't let him.

As to that, where was her husband? Sara stood up and started for the doorway. She spotted Nathan standing between Jimbo and Matthew across the street. The trio was blocking the door of a black carriage. Sara couldn't see the seal. Jimbo's large bulk blocked it. "Who are they talking to, I wonder. Do you know, Colin?"

"Come and sit down, Sara. Wait for Nathan to come back inside."

She was about to do just that when Jimbo shifted positions and she saw the crest. "That's my father's carriage," she cried out in surprise. "How in heaven's name did he know so soon that we were back in London?"

Colin didn't answer her, for Sara had already rushed out the doorway. He shoved the pistol into his pocket and hurried after her.

She hesitated at the curb. Her stomach suddenly tightened up. Oh, God, she hoped her father and Nathan were getting along. And who were those other men?

"Don't borrow trouble," she whispered to herself. She took a deep breath, picked up her skirts, and rushed across the street just as her father climbed out of the carriage.

The earl of Winchester was considered by many to be a distinguished-looking gentleman. He still had a full head of hair, though most of it was silver-colored, and his belly was more firm than round. He stood two inches below six feet in height. He had the same shade of brown eyes Sara did, but that was the only resemblance they shared. Her father's nose was eagle-sized. When he frowned, or squinted against the sun, as he was doing at that moment, his eyes disappeared behind narrow slits. His lips, when pressed together, were as thin as a finely drawn line.

Sara wasn't afraid of her father, but he did worry her, for the simple reason that he wasn't at all predictable. She never knew what he was going to do. Sara hid her concern and rushed forward dutifully to embrace her father. Nathan noticed how the earl stiffened in response to Sara's touch.

"I'm so surprised to see you, Father," Sara began. She stepped back and took hold of Nathan's arm. "How did you know we were back in London so soon after our arrival? Why, our trunks haven't even left the ship yet."

Her father quit frowning at Nathan long enough to give her an answer. "I've had my men watching the water since the day you left, Sara. Now come along with me. I'm taking you home where you belong."

The anger in her father's voice alarmed her. She instinctively moved closer to her husband. "Home? But Father, I'm married to Nathan. I must go home with him. Surely you realize…"

She stopped trying to explain when the carriage door opened and her older sister Belinda climbed out.

God's truth, Sara was sorry to see her. Belinda was smiling. That wasn't a good sign. The only time Belinda ever appeared to be happy was when there was trouble brewing. She smiled a lot then.

Belinda had gained a considerable amount of weight since Sara had last seen her. The gold-colored walking dress she wore was straining at the seams. Her sister was heavy-boned and given to fat anyway, and the extra pounds she'd put on had settled around her midriff. She looked more pregnant than not. As a child Belinda had been the pretty sister. The men in the family doted on her. She had curly sun-yellowed hair, a dimple in each cheek, and adorable blue eyes. As she'd grown into womanhood, however, the dimples had been swallowed up in her overly rounded cheeks. Her glorious hair had turned into a mousy brown. The darling of the Winchester family wasn't the center of attention any longer. Belinda's answer to that change in status was to console herself with food.

Sara, on the other hand, had been a rather plain, lanky-legged child. She was terribly awkward, and her permanent teeth had seemed to take forever to come in straight. For almost a year she spit whenever she spoke. No one except her nanny and her mother ever doted on her.

It was a sin not to love her sister, and for that reason alone Sara loved Belinda. She thought she understood her sister's cruel streak. It had been born out of all the disappointments she'd suffered, and Sara always tried to be patient and understanding with her. When Belinda wasn't in a snit about something she could actually be quite pleasant.

Sara tried to concentrate on her sister's good qualities when she called out her greeting. Her grip on Nathan's arm was at great odds with her cheerful tone of voice. "Belinda, how nice it is to see you again."

Her sister rudely stared at Nathan while she returned her sister's greeting. "I'm happy you're finally home, Sara."

"Is Mother with you?" Sara asked.

The earl of Winchester answered her question. "Your mother's at home, where she belongs. Get into the carriage, daughter. I don't want trouble, but I'm prepared for it," he added. "You're coming with us. No one knows you've been with the marquess, and if we-"

"Oh, Papa," Belinda interrupted, "you know that isn't true. Everyone knows. Why, consider all the notes of sympathy we've received since Sara left."

"Silence!" the earl roared. "Dare you contradict me?"

Sara moved so quickly Nathan didn't have time to stop her. She pulled Belinda away from her father's side and positioned herself between them. "Belinda didn't mean to contradict you," Sara said.

Her father looked somewhat mollified. "I won't tolerate insolence," he muttered. "As to the few who do know about your disgraceful conduct, daughter," he continued, address ing his frown and his full attention to Sara, "they'll keep their mouths shut. If a scandal breaks before I've settled this matter, I'll face it."

Sara was more concerned than ever. When her father acted so sure of himself there was always mischief afoot. "What scandal, Father?" she asked. "Nathan and I haven't done anything to cause gossip. We're obeying all the conditions set down in the contract."

"Don't mention the contract to me, daughter. Now get into the carriage before I order my men to draw their weapons."

The ache in Sara's stomach intensified. She was going to have to defy her father. It was a first for her. Oh, she'd often stood up to him, but it was always in defense of her mother or her sister, never herself.

She slowly backed away until she was once again standing next to Nathan. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Father, but I cannot go with you. My place is with my husband."

The earl was infuriated. To have his daughter openly defy him in front of witnesses was humiliating. He reached out to slap her. Nathan was quicker. He grabbed hold of the earl's wrist and started to squeeze. Hard. He wanted to break the bone in half.

Sara stopped him by merely touching him. When she sagged against his side he immediately let go of her father and put his arm around her shoulder. He could feel her trembling and became all the more furious.

"She isn't going anywhere, old man," Nathan announced in a low, controlled voice.

The denial was obviously the signal the earl's men needed. The pistols were drawn and pointed at Nathan.

Sara let out a gasp. She couldn't believe what was happening. She tried to put herself in front of Nathan to protect him. He wouldn't let her move. He tightened his hold and continued to stare at her father. He smiled. Sara didn't know what to make of that reaction.

Surely he understood the severity of the situation. "Nathanial?" she whispered. She used that name as a method to put him on his guard. She leaned up and then whispered, "You don't have a pistol. They do. Please take notice of the odds, husband."

Nathan quit his smile and looked down at her. He knew what she did not-that the odds were indeed on his side. At least eight of his loyal crew had come running at the sight of the carriage. They were lined up behind Sara, ready and armed for a fight.

There was also the fact that her father was bluffing. The look in his eyes indicated to Nathan that he didn't have the mind or the courage for a direct confrontation.

"This has gotten completely out of hand," Sara told her father. She was so upset, her voice shook. "Order your men to put their weapons away, Father. Nothing will be solved by hurting Nathan or me."

The earl of Winchester didn't give the order quickly enough. "I won't let you hurt my husband," Sara cried out. "I love him."

"He won't hurt him," Colin called out. "I'll put a hole through his forehead if he tries."

Sara turned to look at Nathan's friend. The transformation in Colin was so stunning to her, she caught her breath. Colin's stance looked relaxed, and there was a smile on his face, but the coldness in his eyes clearly indicated he'd carry out his threat without suffering a moment's qualm.

The earl immediately motioned for his men to quit their positions. When their weapons were back inside their waistbands he tried a different approach to gain victory. "Belinda, tell your sister about your mother. Since Sara refuses to come home, she might as well hear the truth now."

Belinda had moved back to her father's side. He gave her arm a little prod to get her started. "Sara, you really must come home with us," Belinda blurted. She glanced over at her father, received his nod, and then continued. "Mother's taken gravely ill. That's the reason she didn't come with us."

"She's longing to see you again," her father interjected. "Though after the way you've worried her, I can't understand why."

Sara shook her head. "Mother isn't ill," she said. "This is just trickery to get me to leave Nathan, isn't it?"

"I would never use your mother in such a manner," her father muttered with indignation.

He nudged Belinda again. Nathan noticed the action and knew the scene he was witnessing had been rehearsed. He hoped his wife was astute enough to notice, too.

Belinda took a step forward. "Mama took ill right after you left, Sara. Why, for all she knew, you could have been drowned at sea, or killed by… pirates."

"But Belinda, Mother…" Sara stopped. She wasn't certain her father knew she'd left a note explaining to her mother that she was going to help Nora get back home. Her mother might have hidden the letter from her father. "I mean to say, I sent a long letter to Mama when Nathan and I reached our destination. Mama should have received the missive by now."

Nathan was surprised by that news. "When did you write?"

"When you left to get supplies," Sara explained.

"Yes, we received both of your letters," the earl interjected.

Sara was about to argue that she'd only sent one letter, but she wasn't given a chance before her father continued. "And of course, I was pleased with the information you gave me. Still, daughter, the matter is not quite resolved, and for that reason we must continue to use discretion."

She didn't know what he was talking about. "What information?" she asked.

Her father shook his head at her. "Don't play the fool with me, Sara." He straightened his shoulders, then turned to pull the carriage door wide. "Your mother is waiting."

Sara looked up at Nathan. "Will you take me to see Mother? I'll worry until I've spoken to her."

"Later," Nathan replied.

Sara turned back to her father. "Please tell Mother we'll come to visit her as soon as Nathan finishes his business here."

The earl of Winchester had planned to wait until he'd gotten Sara away from the marquess before putting his plan into action. He didn't like direct conflicts. It was much more satisfying to have surprise on his side, and less dangerous as well. Yet when the marquess told him to take his leave, his rage exploded. "The prince regent has all the information before him now," he shouted. "It's only a matter of time till he decides you've violated the contract. Just you wait and see."

"What the hell are you rambling about?" Nathan demanded. "You're demented if you think I've violated any conditions. This marriage will not be invalidated. I've slept with my wife. It's too late."

The earl's face turned a blotchy red. Sara had never seen him in such a fury.

"Father, please calm yourself. You're going to make yourself ill."

"Sara, do you know what your father's talking about?" Nathan asked.

She shook her head. She and her husband both turned back to the earl again.

"This is a private conversation," Sara's father announced. He nodded to his men. "Wait at the corner."

He turned to Nathan again. "Dismiss your men," he ordered, "unless you wish for them to overhear what I'm about to say."

Nathan shrugged. "They stay."

"Father, I'll be happy to explain," Belinda volunteered. She smiled while she waited for their escort to leave. When the men were out of earshot she turned to Nathan. "Sara wrote to us. We never would have known if she hadn't told, you see."

"What wouldn't you have known?" Sara asked.

Belinda let out a mock sigh. "Oh, Sara, don't act so innocent. It isn't necessary now." She looked up at Nathan again and smiled. "She told us about your father. We know all about the earl of Wakersfield now. Yes, we do."

"No," Sara cried out. "Belinda, why-"

Her sister couldn't let her continue. "Of course, Sara only gave us the bare bones, but once we had that information-well, Papa had his important friend do a little investigating, and the rest was ferreted out. When Papa's finished, everyone in London will know that your husband's father was a traitor."

The earl let out a snort of disgust. "Did you think you could keep that filth swept under the carpet?" he asked Nathan. "My God, your father nearly toppled our government. Machiavelli was a saint in comparison to your father. Those sins are now on your shoulders," he added with a brisk nod. "When I'm finished you'll be destroyed."

"Father, quit these threats," Sara cried out. "You can't mean them."

Her father ignored her plea. His gaze was directed on Nathan. "Do you honestly believe the prince regent will force my daughter to spend her life tied to an infidel like you?"

Nathan was so astonished by the earl's comments that a fury he'd never felt before began to burn inside him. How had the bastard found out about his father? And God, when it was made public, how would his sister Jade react?

It was as if the earl had read Nathan's mind. "Think about your sister," he announced. "Lady Jade's married to the earl of Cainewood, isn't she? She and her husband have become the darlings of the set. That will soon change," he added with another snort. "The shame is going to make your sister a leper in society, I promise you."

Sara was terrified on Nathan's behalf. How had her father found out about the earl of Wakersfield? When Nora had confided that secret to her she'd told her no one would ever find out. The father's file was locked away inside the War Department's vault. No one could breach that sanctuary.

And then the full truth of what her father and her sister were trying to do settled in her mind. They wanted Nathan to believe she'd betrayed him.

She immediately shook her head. No, that didn't make sense, she told herself. How could they guess that she'd found out? "I don't understand how you learned about Nathan's father," she whispered. "But I-"

Belinda interrupted her. "You told us. You don't have to lie any longer. As soon as Papa read the shocking news he did as you instructed, Sara. For heaven's sake, you should be happy now. You're going to be free very soon. Then you can marry a gentleman worthy of you. Isn't that what you said, Papa?"

The earl of Winchester quickly nodded. "If the contract is set aside, the duke of Loughtonshire would still be willing to take you for his wife."

"But Belinda's pledged to him," Sara whispered.

"He prefers you," her father muttered.

The pain in Sara's stomach was so acute it almost doubled her over. "Is that why you're lying, Belinda? You don't want to marry the duke, and you've made a pact with Father, haven't you?"

"I'm not lying," Belinda countered. "You gave us the information we needed. Papa says he's going to demand that all the land the marquess inherited from his father be confiscated. When Papa's finished," she added with a sarcastic slur in her voice, "the marquess will be a pauper."

Sara shook her head. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She was so humiliated that her family would act in such a cruel, sadistic manner. "Oh, Belinda, please don't do this."

Nathan hadn't said a word. When his arm dropped away from Sara's shoulders the earl guessed that his gamble had paid off. He felt like gloating with victory. He'd heard what a cynical, hardheaded man the marquess of St. James was, and now he knew the rumors were true.

Sara needed to hear her husband tell her he believed her. She couldn't tell anything from his expression. "Nathan? Do you believe I wrote to my mother and told her about your father's sins?"

He answered her with a question of his own. "Did you know about my father?"

God save her, she almost lied to him. He looked so bored, so unconcerned. Yet his voice shook with anger.

He condemned her.

"Yes, I did know about your father," she admitted. "Nora told me."

He took a step away from her. She felt as though he'd just struck her. "Nathan? You cannot believe I would betray you. You cannot!"

Colin spoke up. "Why shouldn't he? It's damn telling evidence against you. That secret's been safe a long time. Then you find out, and-"

"So you find me guilty, Colin?" she interrupted.

He shrugged. "I don't know you well enough to judge if I can trust you or not," he said. He was being brutally honest with her. "But you are a Winchester," he added with a meaningful glance in her father's direction.

Colin looked at Nathan. He knew the anguish his friend must be going through yet doubted that anyone else was aware of that pain. Nathan had that uncaring look on his face. His friend had become a master at concealing his reactions. Ironically, it had been a woman who had first taught him how to protect his heart. Now another woman seemed to be proving Nathan's cynicism was more than justified.

Sara's anguish was apparent, however. She looked devastated, defeated. Colin began to have doubts about his quick judgment. Was Sara capable of such fakery? "Why don't you ask Nathan again?" he suggested in a softer tone of voice.

She shook her head. "He should have enough faith in me to know I'd never betray him."

"Get in the carriage," her father ordered again.

She whirled back to confront her father. "I've been such a fool about so many things, Father," she announced. "I actually made excuses for your sinful conduct, but Nora was right after all. You aren't any better than your brothers. You disgust me. You let your brother Henry dole out the punishment whenever you're displeased. Your hands stay clean that way, don't they? Oh, God, I never want to see you again." She took a deep breath, then added in a harsh whisper, "I'm no longer your daughter."

She turned her attention to Belinda next. "As for you, I hope you get down on your knees and pray God's forgiveness for all the lies you've told today. You may tell Mother I'm sorry she isn't feeling well. I'll come to see her when I'm certain neither one of you is home."

After making that speech Sara turned her back on her family and walked across the street. Colin tried to take hold of her arm. She pulled away.

Everyone watched her until she'd walked inside the office and shut the door behind her.

The earl of Winchester still wasn't ready to give up. The argument became fierce again and lasted several minutes before Nathan finally took a step forward.

Sara's father tried to go toward the office then. He shouted his daughter's name in such a booming voice that the veins in the side of his neck stood out. Nathan blocked his path. That action proved threatening enough.

No one said a word until the Winchester carriage rounded the corner. The men on horseback trailed after the vehicle. Then everyone started talking at once.

Jimbo and Matthew both argued in Sara's defense. "She might have told," Matthew said, "but only the way she told about Nora and me. Inadvertent like."

"I'm saying she didn't tell at all," Jimbo muttered. He folded his arms across his chest and glared at Colin when he made that emphatic statement. "You didn't help, Dolphin," he added. "You could have swayed the boy's mind if you'd argued in our Sara's defense."

"The last time I argued in a woman's defense Nathan damn near got killed," Colin replied.

"He was young and stupid back then," Matthew said.

"He still is," Jimbo stated. "You aren't at all surprised, are you?" he said then. "With your cynical heart, I imagine you expected our Sara to fail you. Isn't that right?"

Nathan wasn't listening to his friends. His gaze was centered on the corner where the carriage had last been seen. With a shake of his head he pulled himself out of his musings and turned to walk away.

"Where are you going?" Matthew called out.

"Maybe he came to his senses," Jimbo said when Nathan started across the street. "He might be going to apologize to Sara. Did you see the look on her face, Matthew? It tore me up to see such torment."

"Nathan wouldn't apologize," Colin said. "He doesn't know how. But he might be calm enough to listen to her now."

Sara had no idea Jimbo and Matthew had come to her defense. She believed everyone had damned her. She was so upset she couldn't stop pacing. She kept picturing the expression on Nathan's face when she'd admitted that she'd known the truth about his father.

He believed she had betrayed him.

Sara had never felt so alone. She didn't know where to go, whom to turn to, what to do. She couldn't think. Her fantasy of living in paradise with the man she'd always believed loved her was gone.

Nathan had never loved her. It was just as her relatives had told her. He was only after the king's gift. She'd thought those often-repeated reminders were lies meant to turn her heart against him. She knew better now.

God, what a fool she'd been.

The pain was simply too much, too overwhelming to think about. Sara remembered the vile threat her father had made against Nathan's sister Jade. Her heart went out to the sister, and even though she'd never met the woman she knew it was her duty to try to warn her so she could prepare herself.

The plan gave her a mission, a reason to move. No one noticed when she walked outside. They were occupied shouting at each other. She walked to the corner, but as soon as she was out of sight she started running. She lost her way almost immediately, yet she kept on running until she was out of breath.

God took mercy on her, for when she couldn't go another step she spotted a hack in the middle of the street only half a block away. A passenger was getting out of the vehicle. While he sorted through his pockets for his coins Sara hurried forward.

She didn't have any shillings with her. She didn't know the address of her destination either. She couldn't worry about the lack of funds, though. She decided the coachman would have to be responsible for finding the address on his own.

"The earl of Cainewood's townhouse, if you please," she called out. She got inside the vehicle and pressed herself into the comer. Her fear was that Nathan might have sent one of his men to chase after her.

The coachman directed the hack to what he referred to as the fancy-pants section of town, yet he still had to ask directions from a passerby before he found the address his fare had requested.

Sara used the time to calm her queasy stomach. She took deep, gulping breaths and prayed she wouldn't be sick.

Nathan had no idea Sara wasn't waiting for him inside the office. He tried to rid himself of some of his anger before he spoke to her again. He didn't want to add to her upset. God help him, he couldn't imagine what her life must have been like living with such vile relatives.

Jimbo began to nag him in earnest. "I don't condemn her for telling," Nathan said. "I understand her flaws. I wasn't surprised. Now, if you'll quit your hounding, I'll go and tell her I've forgiven her. Will that satisfy you?"

Jimbo nodded. Nathan strode across the street and went inside the office. It didn't take him any time at all to realize his wife wasn't there. He looked inside the back storage area just to make certain.

Panic filled him. He knew she hadn't left with her father, and that meant that she had literally walked away.

The picture of just what could happen to an unattended woman in that section of the city terrified Nathan. His roar echoed through the streets. He had to find her.

She needed him.